Lesego wrote:In an effort to contribute to the fight against rhino poaching, Sandown Motor Holdings Group has generously sponsored a brand new Jeep Sahara Unlimited 3.6 V6 valued at approximately R450 000 to South African National Parks (SANParks). The vehicle, obtained through the West Rand Region of SANParks Honorary Rangers sponsorship initiative, was accepted by SANParks CEO, Dr David Mabunda on Tuesday 29 May 2012 at SANParks Head Office in Pretoria. The vehicle will be used by the anti-poaching patrol teams in the Kruger National Park.

Speaking at the official handover ceremony, Dr Mabunda said this gesture by Sandown Motor Holdings Group has shown… “your patriotism for our beloved country. Your involvement through this sponsorship signifies a constructive approach in the fight against rhino poaching and is highly gratifying.”

Dr Mabunda said the current rhino poaching statistics for the Kruger National Park (KNP) stand at 137. “It is indeed worrying that we are still losing such a high number of rhinos but the increasing number of successful arrests and steeper sentences imposed on convicted criminals is encouraging.” The KNP has so far arrested 38 suspected poachers. This is not only thanks to the increased cooperation from ordinary members of the public but from corporate South Africa joining the fight against rhino poaching.

Ms. Veronica van der Linde, the Dealer principal of Chrysler Jeep Dodge (CJD) Constantia Kloof and representative of Sandown Motor Holdings group said “We, as a company have recognised that the protection of the environment is everyone’s responsibility and critical for our existence as human beings.”

She said the poaching and killing of our rhinos is one of those horrible human acts driven mainly by a financial gain. “By sponsoring this vehicle, Sandown Motors is joining the fight against the killing of these animals and we trust that the vehicle with its advanced features and capabilities will be a useful tool for the rangers in their on-going battle with poachers.”

Speaking at the same ceremony Peter Zietsman, Chairperson, West Rand Region of SANParks Honorary Rangers said this is yet another important tool to be used in the fight against poaching. “We are elated to be part of the solution as ordinary South Africans in the fight against the scourge of rhino poaching – the bleeding has to stop sooner than later.”

PROPERLY planned deployments and wise use of resources, much of it via donor funding, is helping in taking the fight to rhino poachers and not only being reactive.

This message was forcibly brought home yesterday by SANParks conservation services executive Hector Magome who said: “We are fighting a war in an area the size of Swaziland and while it would be wonderful to have a ranger in close proximity to each of the Kruger National Park’s about 10 000 rhino this is obviously impossible.”

He was speaking at the handover of a vehicle donated to the national conservation agency for use in the ongoing battle against rhino poaching and the syndicates behind the slaughter.

The all-terrain vehicle will be used for training anti-poaching operators in primarily the southern part of Kruger. It will also be deployed on patrol and in pursuit taskings under the command of former Kruger senior ranger Jack Greeff.

Delivery of the Jeep Sahara to SANParks was facilitated by the agency’s Honorary Rangers corps through its West Rand region. The corps, a voluntary organisation, last year secured donor funding in excess of R38 million for use in protecting biodiversity in the country’s national parks.

This, SANParks chief executive David Mabunda said was “a noble deed and one that showed true patriotism”.

He told those present at the vehicle handover that while rhino poaching numbers were on the increase the number of poaching incidents was coming down. “This means many rhino poaching attempts have been stopped before animals could be killed.”

“Our rangers and others on the ground trying to halt poaching also know it as many of them have been on the receiving end of shooting, mostly with deadly intent. Donations of this kind will enable our anti-poaching teams to be better trained, be more mobile and come out on top when the encounter those intent on plundering part of our natural heritage.”

He also appealed to the public to assist in putting an end to the rhino poaching scourge, quoting two examples where “Mr and Mrs South Africa” had led the way.

The first happened in a village near Kaapmuiden, outside the southern sector of Kruger. When suspected rhino poachers tried to escape pursuit, villagers took up the chase and arrested them. The second saw a Gauteng resident pass on information about rhino horn possession that led to the arrest of a Vietnamese national in Bedfordview.

“Keep your eyes open at garage forecourts, taxi ranks and other places where South Africans go about the daily business of survival. You could well be the one who sees something suspicious that leads to an arrest and eventually the survival or one or more rhino,” Mabunda said.